Local tea party president dies in crash on 441

In this file photo, Stephen Hunter, president of Ocala's Tea Party Solutions, right, talks with Pam Ayers of Ocala, left, at the Tri-County Tea Party gathering at the American Legion Hall Post 347 in Lady Lake, FL.

Published: Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 5:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 5:37 p.m.

REDDICK -- The president of the Ocala Tea Party organization was killed Friday in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 441 in northern Marion County.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers on Saturday identified the crash victim as 70-year-old Stephen Hunter of Sparr. Hunter had been president of the Ocala Tea Party or Tea Party Solutions for the last several years.

Opal Stroud, who attends Tea Party meetings, described Hunter as a tireless, dedicated patriot who will be truly missed.

Butch Verrando, one of the founders of the tea party in Ocala, said Hunter was a good friend, confidant and patriot. Verrando said Hunter was a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam, Before becoming president of the local tea party, Hunter worked at Lockheed Martin and owned a company that built simulators for pilot training, Verrando said.

Verrando said Hunter was a champion of property rights and that he was well-loved, respected by all and had an easy way about him.

In Friday’s accident, Hunter was the lone occupant of a 1989 Mercedes 190D, troopers said.

Officials said Hunter was heading west on Northwest 165th Street and came to a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 441. A 1999 Ford Ranger, driven by 43-year-old Denise Kirkland, of Gainesville, along with passenger Daniel Hodges, 37, of Ocala, were northbound on U.S. 441 in the inside lane approaching the intersection.

Hunter attempted to turn left to travel onto the paved median and then head southbound on 441. Apparently he never saw the pickup truck and drove into the path of the vehicle, where he was T-boned on the driver’s side, troopers said.

Hunter, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead on scene by Marion County Fire Rescue officials who responded to the scene. The section of the roadway where the accident occurred was dark.

<p>REDDICK -- The president of the Ocala Tea Party organization was killed Friday in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 441 in northern Marion County.</p><p>Florida Highway Patrol troopers on Saturday identified the crash victim as 70-year-old Stephen Hunter of Sparr. Hunter had been president of the Ocala Tea Party or Tea Party Solutions for the last several years.</p><p>Opal Stroud, who attends Tea Party meetings, described Hunter as a tireless, dedicated patriot who will be truly missed.</p><p>Butch Verrando, one of the founders of the tea party in Ocala, said Hunter was a good friend, confidant and patriot. Verrando said Hunter was a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam, Before becoming president of the local tea party, Hunter worked at Lockheed Martin and owned a company that built simulators for pilot training, Verrando said.</p><p>Verrando said Hunter was a champion of property rights and that he was well-loved, respected by all and had an easy way about him.</p><p>In Friday's accident, Hunter was the lone occupant of a 1989 Mercedes 190D, troopers said.</p><p>Officials said Hunter was heading west on Northwest 165th Street and came to a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 441. A 1999 Ford Ranger, driven by 43-year-old Denise Kirkland, of Gainesville, along with passenger Daniel Hodges, 37, of Ocala, were northbound on U.S. 441 in the inside lane approaching the intersection.</p><p>Hunter attempted to turn left to travel onto the paved median and then head southbound on 441. Apparently he never saw the pickup truck and drove into the path of the vehicle, where he was T-boned on the driver's side, troopers said.</p><p>Hunter, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead on scene by Marion County Fire Rescue officials who responded to the scene. The section of the roadway where the accident occurred was dark.</p><p>Neither Kirkland nor Hodges were injured. They were wearing their seat belts, troopers said.</p>